Details of 197 colorectal carcinomas from 180 patients were retrieved
from our files, with the aim of analyzing the clinical histories and p
athological parameters of all patients up to 40 years, and to support
these data with the results of the DNA content analysis oftumural cell
s by static cytometry. The incidence of juvenile carcinomas in our ser
ies was 7%, with a high percentage (38%) of cases associated with pren
eoplastic conditions. Our findings show a higher frequency of mucinous
(21,5%), poorly differentiated (55%) and diploid (29%) neoplasias wit
h a higher incidence of carcinomas localized in the right colon (50%)
in young patients than found in elderly ones. However juvenile carcino
mas did not differ significantly from neoplasias in the elderly popula
tion, because some pathological parameters considered as unfavourable
prognostic factors in the formers (eg. increased incidence of mucinous
and poorly differentiated carcinomas) are ''balanced'' by features su
ggesting a good outcome (eg. higher frequency of diploid neoplasias).